From a landfill site to a school science expo and a high-level symposium, Petco has been rather busy supporting education and awareness initiatives across Gauteng.

Recently, waste pickers at Chloorkop landfill were educated on the value of liquid board packaging (LBP) as a recyclable material with untapped potential. At the Kwalata Science Expo, we spent time with learners, showing how recycling links to everyday sustainability, while in Pretoria, we joined the Indalo Symposium, sitting down with leaders and innovators to talk about how working together can help Africa move toward a circular economy that includes everyone.

At Chloorkop landfill, 37 waste pickers shifted focus from their go-to materials like PET, glass, cans and cardboard – to collect more than 2 000 kilograms of LBP over two days. For many of them, it was an eye-opener to find out just how valuable those long-life milk, custard and juice cartons are to recyclers, and how adding this previously overlooked material to their daily collections can boost their incomes.

To thank them for their efforts, the Petco team handed out refreshments (all in LBP cartons, of course), protective gear – and even a mobile phone for one outstanding collector. But the bigger win was seeing LBP recognised as a valuable recyclable material with genuine earning power.

At the Kwalata Science Expo, we helped over 300 Grade 7 and 8 learners get hands-on with sustainability. At our interactive stand, we explored the importance of collecting and recycling PET and LBP, and showed them how to separate recyclables correctly.

We love engaging with curious young minds and showing them why everyday decisions and actions really matter when it comes to driving sustainable change, in the hopes that they will share this knowledge with their friends and families too.

That same spirit carried into the Indalo Symposium in Pretoria, where over 100 people from government, business, and development circles came together to talk climate change, and how to grow a circular economy that works for Africa – and Petco was there to join this powerful conversation.

Besides sharing insights on our work with waste collectors, municipalities and the broader value chain, our main focus was on demonstrating how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) drives inclusion, job creation and sustainable materials management.

After the event, Petco CEO, Telly Chauke, summed it up: “The keys to South Africa achieving a truly circular economy are education, raising awareness, and partnerships and collaboration. By now we also know that we must make every conversation count – whether with consumers, waste collectors, learners, businesses, or policymakers.  Everyone has a part to play in maintaining our circular journey’s momentum.”

Initiatives like these help Petco drive practical action along crucial steps in the collection and recycling chain. Our goal is simple: make circular economy ideas count by bringing real benefits to society and the environment, and leaving a positive legacy for the future.